This is a chapter book. A story about a vacant lot turned into a community garden. The simple act of planting vegetables and flowers changes people and connects them in ways nothing else could have. People of vastly different ages, backgrounds, professions, beliefs, all share this passion for their gardens.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros This book of short stories revolve around a family.
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and Barry Moser
1.The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan David
Masterpiece by Elise Broach
Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach
Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison
Sad and a bit spooky. Begins with the death of her dad. He gives her his typewriter. He calls it a magic typewriter, Gilda is not so sure. She begins by using it to make a list of things she does not want to forget about him and then continues using the typewriter throughout the story to write letters to her dad. The letters help to tell the story, and add depth and poignancy to the narration. Gilda becomes a psychic investigator, but mostly she wants to be able to communicate with the dead, specifically her dad. The focus on the early part of the book is on Gilda’s effort to get to California to visit a relative who has been experiencing some odd happenings in her home. Once there, she tries to explain the odd sounds and psychic occurrences, equipped with her psychic manual and a myriad disguises. Gilda is a likeable, witty character who is able to do more than solve the psychic mysteries of the house. She also finds a friend, and mends a family.
Bud, Not Buddy
This is the story about a boy who does not have a mom or dad, and lives in a place called ‘the home’ where orphans live. He is sent to live with a family and they are really mean to him. The boy is tortured by another child living in the house, doing things like sticking pencils up his nose while he is sleeping. The father in the family threatens Bud with a shotgun to get him to behave (stop smacking the boy who is sticking pencils up the nose, for example) and then he is forced to sleep in the garage, locked in. Bud does not like sleeping in the garage, it is dark and creepy and dirty. He breaks a window to get out of the garage. Meanwhile, Bud is on a quest to find his dad, because he believes he is still alive. Runs away, hides behind library, and sleeps there, where he meets another orphan, a friend from the home. Asks the librarian for a book of the world so that he can find the place where he thinks his dad is. The librarian helps him figure out the walking distance. Bud sets off with his friend to find Bud’s dad. Hiding in woods, along border of town, where there was a big hobo party going on, stopped by the party and asked for directions. They are told about a train heading in that direction, spend the night and then set out for the station, trying to avoid the cops surrounding the area, who are trying to scare away the hobos. Buds friend and made the train, but Bud did not. Wandering the woods and roads alone, now, without his friend, he catches a ride with a man in his car. The man feeds Bud and they go to the man’s house. Bud finds himself on a bed on the porch. The man drove Bud to where he believed he would find his father. The cops pull them over and the man asks Bud to hide a mysterious package under the seat. The arrive at where they think Bud’s father lives, and old log cabin. The man sends Bud off with a good luck wish and Bud walks in and hid in the shadows. He called ‘Dad’ to the man who looked most like his father, and the man did not recognize him. This is the story of a boy’s journey to find his dad. Does Bud find his dad? No spoilers here, you will have to read to find out.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater Illustrated by Robert Lawson
Is it likely that someone might end up with 12 penguins to support? Perhaps not, but Mr. Popper does and as he struggles to care for these penguins he devises a terrific plan for having the penguins help out.
Mr. Popper is “speechless with delight” as he discovers his first penguin, shipped direct from Antarctica. Things get a little tricky along the way, there is trouble with pet licenses and penguins who disconnect phone calls; difficulty with taking penguins for a stroll; and trouble with a service man who is reluctant to drill air holes in the refrigerator door, and put a handle on the inside of the refrigerator-but how else is Mr. Popper to keep his penguins chilled? But the real trouble starts when Popper’s penguin becomes lonely, and a second penguin is sent to keep him company. Before long, the second penguin, Greta, begins to lay eggs, and soon there are 12 penguins living in Popper’s house. Mr. Popper has stopped working to cre for the penguins, and spends whatever money he has to make his home habitable for his new pets, but, there comes a time when he realizes that more money is needed to support the brood. That is when Mr. Popper hatches a plan to put the penguins to work.
This is a fun story. Mr. Popper’s efforts at caring for the penguins is admirable, as is his enthusiasm for his new responsibilities. The end of the story shows Popper’s devotion to the penguins, when he has to make a choice as to their future. No spoilers here-this is truly a heartwarming story that children will love to read.
The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts, Age 11 by Amy Hest Illustrated by Sonja Lamut
The book begins, “The war came and took my father forever. I was seven.” This is the private, top-secret journal of a little girl that is not to be read by anyone, especially not her mother. The story begins 5 years after the death of her father, and her mother is about to be remarried. Through the story, the little girl deals with school issues, friend issues, and home issues, as her newly married mother becomes pregnant. Typical of this genre, this story has much that some children will be able to relate to and is written in a voice that is quite accessible.
Just Juice by Karen Hesse Pictures by Robert Andrew Parker
This story is about a families struggle with financial difficulties, and a little girl’s struggle with family responsibilities, and with a possible learning disability. The protagonist is Juice, who at the start of the book is repeating 3rd grade, because her teacher says she is too lazy to do the work. Juice just doesn’t get the whole reading thing-the letters look all jumbled on the page and do not make any sense. Juice hates to go to school, the other children tease her and call her stupid. Unfortunately, the law is not on her side, and when the truant officer shows up, Juice’s mother tries to make excuses for her, but the officer won’t accept it. Juice’s dad is out of work and the family cannot pay the bills. Juice’s mother spreads the grape jelly so thin on the bread that you “can barely see the purple.” Believe it or not, this is a feel good story as the family and neighbors come together to rescue this poor family from losing their house.
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
Leigh is struggling with many issues in his young life. Amidst the mess, his teacher suggests that he write a letter to his favorite author, and what results is a correspondence between Leigh and the author, Mr. Henshaw, that helps Leigh begin to work through some of his problems. Mr. Henshaw encourages Leigh to keep a journal, which Leigh discovers to be somewhat liberating.
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
This is a series of books about two unlikely friends.
Concepts that children can relate to-sibling relationships, school relationships, and the kinds of games children adore (casting spells, etc).
Just Grace by Charise Mericle Harper
Tells the story of a little girl named Grace, who happens to have several other Grace’s in her class.
Judy Moody and Stink series books by Megan McDonald
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell pictures by Emily McCully
Clementine a series by Sara Pennypacker ill. By Marla Frazee
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Beverly Cleary Ramona
This series follows protagonist Ramona Quimby through her life, as she deals with various issues that effect every family. Parents looking for work, the threat of moving, the challenges of a new school year, teachers, friends, academics.
Andrew Clements Jake Drake Know-It-All, The Janitor’s Boy, No Talking, Room One, and many more.
Kate DiCamillo The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Kate DiCamillo Because of Winn-Dixie
Kailin's Picks
A Corner of the Universe
by Ann M. Martin
11-13 years old
A Corner of the Universe is a book about a 12 year old girl, Hattie, whose 21 year old uncle comes to live with her family after his school closes. He is mentally disabled, though the publisher's blurb says "his condition involves schizophrenia and autism" and his savant behaviors in the book make it evident autism is at least part of his condition. Adam is so different than anyone Hattie knows and she finds herself drawn to him in a protective, older sisterly sort of way because Adam acts so immature and vulnerable at times. Hattie is also intrigued by Adam's zest for life--he is impulsive and fun and feels like a kindred spirit; this is why she takes the outside world's treatment of him so hard. The townspeople and even his own family have little compassion for him to the extent that the children call him a freak. The end of this book is somewhat unexpected, but students will relate to Hattie as she learns tolerance and a new perspective on dealing with differences.
Anything But Typical
published by Simon and Schuster, 2010
9-12 years old
Jason is a 12 year old autistic boy who loves words and language yet cannot express himself well verbally. Through the written word, however, we are allowed to peer inside his head to hear his observations of the world around him and even of himself and his own feelings and behavior. He's often confused by what he calls "NTs", or Neuro-Typicals--they seem to say a lot, but they never mean what they say. This book reminds me of A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime because it is a first person narrative by an autistic boy, but this story seems easier to connect to. Jason's voice is both endearing and revealing. Throughout much of the book, we are rooting for Jason as he joins an online story sharing board. Here he makes a connection with someone he desperately wants to be his friend, but whether or not he will be able to navigate this relationship in real life creates a suspense that keeps you turning pages.
Rules
published by Scholastic Press, 2006
by Cynthia Lord
9-12 years old
Catherine, a 12 year old girl, tries to be a good sister to her autistic brother, David, who is four years her junior--but he doesn't make it easy. She loves him dearly and creates many "rules" to help him navigate his way through the world. Each chapter of this sweet and touching book is titled with one of her many rules for him, such as "Sometimes you've gotta work with what you've got," and "Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you." Catherine wants very much to be friends with Kristi, the new girl who moved next door, but she's terrified of what Kristi might think of her brother. When Catherine meets a paraplegic boy named Jason at her brother's clinic, she learns what it feels like to feel uncomfortable or uncertain around someone with a disability--much like others feel around her brother. The relationship is poignant-- even humorous at times, and leads Catherine to learn a lesson about what's important in a friend and in a sister.
ADD/ADHD Books Selected by Heather:
Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York: Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2000. Gr 4-7
The sequel to Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Because of a court order, Joey who suffers from ADHD, is required to spend time with his estranged father who claims to have stopped drinking. His mother reluctantly leaves him for 6 weeks with the father and his paternal grandmother. As it turns out the father continues to drink. He tells Joey that his ADHD medicine is a crutch and flushes it down the toilet. Joey soon spins out of control. This is a well written books with believable characters. Joey has an up hill climb in life between his ADHD and his very flawed family. Joey's mother, the person he relies on the most, seems to be just hanging on and keeping it all together. She is no uber-mom, just a mother who loves her son and struggles with his problems and her own limitations. Joey, who knows she is doing her best, tries to shield her from his problems and doesn't let her know how bad things are with his father. There is a sad reality to this book mixed with just enough humor to make it readable. I would recommend this book for older ADHD kids who may face similar challenges. It's also a good book to give non-ADHD children an idea of what it is like to walk in their classmates' shoes. There is some worry of painting all ADHD kids as coming from troubled homes. Librarians and teachers should use their judgment.
Winkler, Henry and Lin Oliver. The Zippity Zinger. Gr 3 - 6
From the Hank Zipzer The World's Best Underachiever series. In this book Hank decides his success at baseball is somehow related to wearing his sisters red and pink, monkey socks. The Hank Zipper series is the creation of Henry Winkler (who many adults will remember as “the Fonz” on Happy Days) and his co-author Lin Oliver. Thank goodness for this series. There aren't enough books with ADHD kids that don't focus completely on the ADHD. The series portrays a nice kid from a nice family who lives in an apartment in New York City and for whom the everyday challenges of growing up are exasperated by ADHD. Hank doesn't conquer the world but he has his share of victories. These books are not as literary as the Joey Pigza books but kids who have ADHD and don't have troubled home lives may relate better to this series than the Joey Pigza books.
Cheaney, J. B. The Middle of Somewhere. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2007. Gr 4-6 When her mother has knee surgery Ronnie is forced on a road trip through Kansas with her grumpy grandfather, Pops, and her ADHD brother, Gee. There is a lot of friction between Pops and Gee and Ronnie is constantly trying to smooth things over and keep her brother under control. Ronnie feels her grandfather is cold and unfeeling until her brother gets lost. The first person narration, from Ronnie's point of view, is both funny and insightful. Through the humor you see how the problems of one member of the family effect all. Ronnie obviously loves Gee but feels frustrated by his behavior. She has more responsibility than most kids her age and she wants to make life easier for her mother. A good choice for siblings of ADHD children.
Susan Shatford's Picks
Going, K.L. The Liberation of Gabriel King. New York, NY: Puffin Books, 2005. Grade Levels: 4 - 8
This story takes place in 1976 in a small southern town where black children and white children started going to the same schools. Gabriel, a self proclaimed scardy cat, is from a poor white family and Frita, a strong black girl, is his best friend. Frita is tired of seeing her best friend bullied by some boys at school especially after they make Gabriel miss his 4th grade graduation. Frita physically confronts the boys on Gabriel's behalf. Frita tells Gabriel to make a list of all of his fears and then forces him to confront them. Scared little Gabriel, with the help of his strong friend, conquers his fear of spiders among other things. Gabriel even finds the strength to stand up to the prejudice of the Klu Klux Klan when his friend is threatened.
Polacco, Patricia. Mr. Lincoln’s Way. New York, NY: Philomel Books, 2001. Grade Levels: K-3
Mr. Lincoln is a black man who is the most tolerant principal. He helps to celebrate multicultural and multi-religious themes in his children's lives. Mean Gene is a product of a prejudice household and he brings his anger to school. Mr. Lincoln realizes that Gene loves birds. He uses this to help engage Gene as a productive member of the school community. Gene realizes that Mr. Lincoln is not the bad person that his father says he is. Gene appreciates the beauty in the various birds and comes to appreciate the differences in his classmates as well. I love the colors used in the book. Mr. Lincoln is wearing a colorful tie along with orange pants and a blue shirt. Gene is in head to toe gray. The color shows the spirit and conflict of the two characters nicely.
Woodson, Jacqueline. The Other Side. illus. by E.B. Lewis. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2001. Grade Levels: K-3
Clover, a black girl, and Annie, a white girl, are neighbors who watch each other through the fence between their yards. One day Annie invites Clover to join her on the fence. Clover agrees because while her mother told her to never go past the fence, she didn't mention anything about not sitting on it. The mothers of each of the girls watch from a distance as the two girls meet to talk and become friends. The two girls realize that the fence (or on a larger scale, the world) is really big enough for everyone. Annie’s actions and dialog lead the reader to believe that it is possible someday for all the barriers to come down. This is a great story of how a single act of friendship can have a bigger influence on stopping racism.
Lauren's picks:
Czech, Jan. The Coffee Can Kid. Washington, DC: Child & Family Press, 2002. Illustrator: Maurie J. Manning Target audience: pre-school- 2nd grade
The Coffee Can Kid
This book begins with an adopted child asking her father to tell her again the story of how she came from Korea to America. The colorful pictures provide illustrations of Korea as the father tells his daughter how her birth mother wanted the girl to grow up where she could be happy and well fed. The story ends with the father showing his daughter a coffee can that contains her baby picture and a letter from her birth mother. The themes of this story include family and diversity. I like how the book makes it clear that the child is loved by both the adopted parents and birth parents.
This book is about a Jewish family in Oregon that adopts a Vietnamese baby girl. The themes include diversity and becoming a family. The pictures illustrate the mother going to Vietnam to pick up the baby, and they show her sons’ excited anticipation of having a new baby sister. The pictures are very heartwarming and portray the happiness of the new family. I really like how the book makes the point that you can be American, Jewish, and Vietnamese.
Young, Ed. My Mei Mei. New York: Philomel Books, 2006. Illustrator: Ed Young Target audience: pre-school- 2nd grade
My Mei Mei
This story is about an adopted little girl who wants a baby sister. When her parents adopt another little girl from China, the sister is initially disappointed that the bay sister can not walk, talk, or play and takes attention away from her. By the end of the book, the sisters have become great friends and are asking their parents for another baby sister. The story is told from the older sister’s perspective and will appeal to children since it shows a child’s perspective. The themes of becoming a family and diversity are present in this story. The pictures consist of colorful collages and help to show the siblings’ growing relationship. I especially liked the picture that vividly illustrated the older sister’s initial jealousy.
Elizabeth's picks
How My Parents Learned to Eat by Ina Friedman. Illustrated by Allen Say. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1984. Grades 1-4.
This is the story of a child whose father is a white american who marries a japanese girl, her mother. The author conveys the difference in cultures through the means of eating - to wit, with chopsticks or fork and knife, and explains how dad had to learn one, mom the other. It begins with the child stating that at her house, sometimes they eat with chopsticks, sometimes with fork and knife, and then proceeds to explain how her parents took pains to learn how the other ate so that they could connect.
The Way We Do It In Japan by Geneva Iilima. Illustrated by Paige Billin-Fryce. Morton Grove, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company. 2002. Grades 1-4. This is the story of a child whose dad is japanese and mom is white american. When dad's company decides to send him to Japan, the child must learn to live there. Food is a strong feature of the story - he must get used to fish and rice and eating with chopsticks, but learning the alphabet and customs also figure into his attempt to fit in at his new japanese school. A note at the end of the book explains the flag, common foods, holidays for children, and alphabets in Japan.
Tea with Milk written and illustrated by Allen Say. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1999. Grades 2-5.
This story is told from the perspective of a girl raised by her japanese parents in the United States. When she finishes high school, they decide to return to Japan and she must learn to live like a japanese girl. Like the two before, food is a clearly defined difference (at home she eats rice for breakfast, at her friends' homes she eats pancakes). Her difficulty adjusting to the expectations of for japanese women underline the cultural differences between the United States and Japan
Deborah's Picks!
Kevin Henkes. Olive’s Ocean. Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.: NY, 2003 Gr. 4-8.
Martha is a 12 year old girl who is paid a visit by a classmate’s mother as her family is preparing for a summer trip to New England. The classmate, Olive Barstow, was killed in a car accident recently and the mother wants Martha to have a page out of her daughter’s journal on which the girl tells of her desire to become a writer, to one day see the ocean, and how she was hoping to get to know Martha whom she felt was the nicest person in her class. This begins a series of reflections by Martha who can’t remember any specific time when she was extra nice to Olive, is both surprised and moved by Olive’s writing which shows many common threads between their lives. Martha wants to be a writer, too and also loves the ocean. Another compelling thought for Martha is the idea that if Olive could die so suddenly, so could she. Later Martha has a terrifying experience at the Cape where she almost drowns which really intensifies this idea. She experiences a lot of new things that summer and becomes more aware of herself and those around her. She wonders about death and whether or not their visit to see her elderly grandmother is because she is going to die. Through all her experiences that summer, she becomes closer to Olive, a friend. The story will give young adults comfort and understanding of a sensitive topic that is hard to address for anyone but especially for children. The characterization is strong and the portrayal of the trials and changes of growing up will be easy for children to relate to.
Deborah Wiles. Each Little Bird That Sings. Harcourt, Inc.: San Diego, 2006. Gr.3-6 This is a touching story of a ten year old girl named Comfort whose family deals with death every day in their home based funeral parlor business. Comfort always prides herself and her family with being strong about death and taking it as it comes. She states that dead people are an everyday part of their life. One day death comes closer to home with the death of Great-uncle Edisto and even closer few months later when Great-great-aunt Florentine dies in the vegetable garden. Comfort is hit hard since she was very close to Florentine and even wrote a book together about fast and fun funeral food for families and friends. Emotions run high and Comfort is not handling all well as is evident in her encounters with family and friends. This is a witty, fun story about a serious, not much fun subject. It is written in the voice of Comfort and is full of recipes, notes, hints, helpful advice about life and enjoying family, food, and each little bird that sings. Comfort’s submissions of "Life Notices" instead of “Death Notices” to the Aurora County News are amusing as are the characters’ name choices: Tidings, Comfort, her dog Dismay (who is her comfort until he drowns), and Joy. This book is a combination of humor and pain which is balanced well in the handling of the serious subject of death. It really shows the unpredictable side of life and how each one of us must deal with the good and the bad.
Kevin Henkes. Sun & Spoon. The Penquin Group: NY, 1997. Gr. 3-6
There are so many other books that deal with the subject of death and many more current than my third choice which was published in 1997. Even this is a wonderful addition to any school library collection for students in grades 3-6. Also, in so many of the fiction I read on the subject of death, the main protagonist was a girl. Our past discussion on the search for books that would appeal to boy readers influenced my choice because the main character in this one is a boy. The book is an easier read but full of emotion and so real, this story will appeal to younger readers. The story, which brought tears to my eyes, is about a ten year old boy named Spoon Gilmore who realizes after the death of his grandmother that he knew very little about her. This thought begins to consume him and though his other family members move on, he can’t. He becomes so afraid that he will forget her and he sets out to find something that will always cause him to remember her. He begins to sleep with her favorite deck of cards, the ones with the sun on it, under his pillow. This causes him to have dreams of his grandmother which brought him a kind of peace. If he would wake up, he would try to sleep again to have her reappear. When Spoon’s grandfather reports the cards missing, Spoon deals with different emotions caused by his actions. This is a strong story about family ties and relationships and helping each other through tough times like the death of a loved one. It brought back memories of my own experiences as a young girl who never got the chance to meet and really know her grandparents and reminded me of the importance of our relationships and taking the time to nurture them. I’m sure that it will do the same for our young readers today.
Mia R's picks
Coates, Jan. Rainbows in the Dark. Toronto: Second Story Press, 2005
Grade Level: K-3
Abby reluctantly accompanies her mother to a second hand store and while waiting, sees a lady come in with a dog. She is amazed that the women had not left her dog outside as there is a sign saying no dogs. Abby and the lady, Joanna, start talking and Joanna explains that her dog is working; he is a guide dog who helps her find her way about as she is blind. Joanna can feel the textures of the clothes but she asks Abby’s help choosing the colors. They choose purple for the blouse, a black and blue skirt with stars, and peacock colored shoes. Abby explains how she wished for a hundred rainbows for her birthday. As Joanne leaves she gives Abby and her mother two tickets to a concert. When they attend, they discover that Joanna is the star, a concert cellist, and as she plays a moonbeam catches a chandelier creating hundreds of rainbows. Alice Priestley’s illustrations are bright and cheerful. This is a gently, optimistic story for children to learn something about what it is like to be blind.
Lang, Glenna. Looking Out for Sarah. Watertown, Mass.: Talewinds, 2001.
Grade Level: K-3
This story tells about a day in the life of a blind woman, Sarah, and her guide dog, Perry. Told from Perry’s perspective, it shows how dogs help blind people to live an independent life, leading them safely from place to place. It also gives information about guide dogs, such as they should not be petted when they are working. The large illustrations are softly colored and look like cut out paper. This story is based on a real person, Sarah Gregory Smith, who with her guide dog Perry walked from Boston to New York to raise awareness of how guide dogs can help the blind.
Cole, Barbara H. Anna & Natalie. New York: Star Bright Books, 2007.
Grade Level: K-3
Four students are chosen each year from Mrs. Randall’s third grade class to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia. Anna desperately wants to be chosen for this team. She is never chosen for any team, except spelling and she is determined to write the winning letter. Once she and her sister arrive home she telephones for grandfather for some information and then while Natalie sleeps on the swing on the porch writes her letter explaining why Natalie, and she, should be chosen. Mrs. Randall is very touched by the letter and reads it to the class who all are delighted that Natalie, and Anna, are chosen. Ronald Himler’s illustrations at the beginning of the book only hint at who Natalie is and it is not exposed until the end of the story when you realize that Anna is blind. This is a story that you will want to read a second time to follow the illustrations more carefully. There is an author’s note explaining about the role of dogs during wartime.Susan Allen's Picks Topic: Children in Foster Homes. Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff This is a beautifully written book for older elementary school (graded 4+). Hollis Woods has been moved around to many foster homes and has trouble opening up to others. The story bounces back and forth between memories of past foster homes and the home she is in now and desperately wants to stay at. A lot is revealed about the character through her artwork.
Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Patterson Being abandoned by her mother and moved around to various foster homes has made Gilly Hopkins a tough and some would say “mean” little girl. As you read the story you begin to understand why the character acts the way she does. From beginning to end you see the character start to change, with spots of humor along the way.
Home and Other Big Fat Lies by Jill Wolfson This book is similar to others books about foster care in that the main character, 11 year old Termite, is tough, loud and hard to get-along with. The setting of these books is quite different as Termites current foster home is not the city she is used to, but a rural logging town where there are many other foster children.
Britt Sorensen's Picks
Korman, Gordon. Everest Book One: The Contest. New York: Scholastic, 2002. Ages 9-12.
Gordon Korman’s Everest Series is about a group of teens who have been selected to be the youngest to climb Everest. As part of team SummitQuest, an advertising gimmick sponsored by Summit Energy Bars, the teens will be put through grueling training in order to select the final four to make the ascent of Everest. The book begins by characterizing the initial contestants in a way that is almost reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Dominic Alexis wins his spot after finally collecting the letter “V” from a discarded Summit Bar wrapper after multiple unsuccessful purchases to complete the word EVEREST. Reluctant but skilled climber Perry Noonan is financed by a billionaire uncle who lives vicariously through his nephew, while Tilt Crowley is as motivated by the prospect of fame and riches as much as he is by adventure. Female climbers Bryn Fielder and Samantha Moon know SummitQuest wants one female climber and struggle with the balance between teamwork and competition. The plot thickens as one of the climbers sleepwalks to her death and the book ends with a cliffhanger as it’s revealed that Tilt is secretly leaking information about SummitQuest to a newspaper for money. The book is fast paced and likely to appeal to both boys and girls who are interested in survival stories and extreme sports. The Everest series continues with Book 2: The Climb and Book 3: The Summit.
Clements, Andrew. The Jacket. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2002. Ages 9-12.
This book by the famous author of Frindle and other realistic fiction books has somewhat less action than his other titles, but is still an interesting book that addresses important themes. When the main character Phil accuses another character of stealing his brother’s jacket, it results in both boys being sent to the principal’s office. After it is discovered that Phil’s mother gave the jacket to her cleaning lady, who in turn gave it to her grandson, Phil is forced to confront his own prejudices on many levels. The new owner of the jacket, Daniel, resents Phil for his actions and seeks revenge by embarrassing Phil at school. Phil views his world through new eyes; while he attends an integrated school, he notices subtle segregation and prejudices in his own neighborhood and family. Most of the book focuses on his inner narrative, questioning his own assumptions about race and how to make things better with Daniel. The Jacket is a valuable book for students living in modern society where sometimes prejudices may be subtle yet powerful at the same time. It would make a good book for class discussions focused on racismand violence prevention as well.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Dexter the Tough. New York: Scholastic, 2007. Ages 7-10.
Dexter the Tough is a realistic fiction novel that focuses on a boy who is living with his grandmother due to his father’s cancer treatments. As Dexter begins his first day at a new school, he slips and falls, causing all of the nearby students to laugh at him. Dexter is mad and hateful towards everything and everyone, even the janitor! He even hits a boy he finds crying in the bathroom on the first day of school. When his new teacher gives him a writing assignment to tell a story about himself that he has to work on over the course of a month, Dexter starts to examine his feelings and his behavior. He feels a lot of anger and resentment as a result of his circumstances and his own choices, and eventually learns to tell the difference between things that are within and out of his control. As the story unfolds, Dexter makes friends with Robin, the boy he hit who feels alienated for different reasons. He also begins to trust the people he hated so much in his new school. Through new relationships and reflective writing, Dexter slowly gains control of his life, and the story has a happy ending when his father’s treatments are successful. This book is a great choice for teaching understanding for students who have been through trauma, felt misunderstood, or had difficulty making friends.
Michelle's Picks - Adoption
ILove You Li ke Crazy Cakes by Rose Lewis and illustrated by Jane Dyer. Little Brown and Company, Boston: 2000. Grades PreK-2.
This picture book follows the journey of a woman adopting a baby from China. This is told in the mother's perspective and how she feels whiletraveling to China, seeing her baby for the first time and even how her friends and family react upon seeing the baby back at home. This is based on the author's own experience.
You're Not My Real Mother! by Molly Friedrich and illustrated by Christy Hale. Little Brown and Company, New York: 2004. Grades PreK-1.
This picture book shows a mother and child of different race. It begins with a child looking in a mirror and saying "You know, Mom, you're not my real mother." And the mom goes on to tell her why she is her real mom and then addresses the fact that she is thankful every day for the birth mother because she get to watch her grow.
Emma's Yucky Brother by Jean Little and pictures by Jennifer Plecas. Harper Collins Publishers: 2001. Grades K-2.
This is "An I Can Read Book". Emma is so excited to have her brother visit but her excitement wanes when Max prefers her neighbor and her brother over her. Emma and Max do finally bond as sister and brother after Max runs away. The book goes through the steps Max has to take to become part of the family. He visits a couple of times for the day, then spends the night, and then stays. This story is told from the perspective of Emma who has a difficult time adjusting to a new brother.Heather's Picks for Realistic Fiction: Davies, Jacqueline. Lemonade War. New York:Houghton Mifflin Books for Children , 2007.
Gr 3-5 Sibling rivalry takes a free market approach in this story of dueling lemonade stands. Evan and Jessie's formerly benevolent relationship sours when Evan learns that Jessie, who is skipping a grade, will be in his class in the fall. Evan sets up a lemonade stand and excludes Jessie from the business. Jessie, who had hoped that her brother would be the one to help her make her way in 4th grade, feels rejected. She starts her own lemonade business hoping to lure Evan back to her side. In the end they learn to appreciate each other's strengths as well as their own. Jessie is a math whiz and also good at strategy and organization. She picks a good location, designs a better sign and looks after the cash. Evan is great with customers and naturally knows how to draw people in and keep them coming back. Davies starts with a great premise and executes it just as well. The kids are realistically draw characters and their relationship is believable. Their parents are divorced and their mother works from home, so though they have supervision its from a distance. The pace of the book is quick and there are fun business lessons along the way.
Clements, Andrew. Lost and Found illustrated by Mark Elliot. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2008.
Gr 3-6 Identical twins Ray Jay and Jay Ray Grayson are starting a new school in a new town. On the first day Ray must stay home sick (or is it Jay, hmm) but Jay realizes that because of a clerical error no one at school is aware of Ray existence. The twins decide to take advantage of the situation and merge themselves into one person Jay Ray Grayson. They alternate going to school. Of course the situation gets out of hand but once on a tiger's back they find it hard to get off. Twins pulling a fast one is a bit of a cliché but Clements does a nice job with the story. First because the twins have only recently moved to a new town and their parents are now both working full-time the situation is more plausible. Throw in their very similar names and it seems almost unavoidable! He also brings out the drawbacks (and benefits) of being twins. Ray and Jay don't execute their plan because they are trouble makers or lazy (though kids will be kids); they both want to have people look at them individually and not as a pair. Ironically, in order to see what it is like to be one person they have to give up more of their autonomy by pretending to be more like each other. The pacing of the story is also good. The reader has time to get to know the twins while the plot moves along nicely. There are a few illustrations which aren't necessary to follow the story but may encourage reluctant readers to pick up the book. Lost and Found is a good pick for twins and multiples but maybe even better for their classmates. And with the increasing rate of multiple births in our country this book is an important addition to any school library collection.
Paulsen, Gary. Mudshark. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2009.
Gr 3-6 Mudshark is your go to guy. The young man with a an eye for detail, fast reflexes and a near perfect memory is the school detective. When you lose your homework, eat the wrong thing in the cafeteria you only needed to call on Mudshark. A day including missing gerbil, toxic waste in the faculty restroom and a psychic parrot might prove to be the perfect storm even Mudshark can't navigate through. Paulsen writes and engaging story. It's fast paced and funny. The parrot's mental prowess might be a bit of a stretch but not enough to warrant a fantasy label. A good book to keep boys reading (I handed it to my son as soon as I was finished with it) but girls will enjoy it too!
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Annotations for Contemporary Realistic Fiction=
Mia’s Pick!
The Seed Folk by Paul Fleischman
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and Barry Moser
1. The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan David
Masterpiece by Elise Broach
Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach
Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison
Sad and a bit spooky. Begins with the death of her dad. He gives her his typewriter. He calls it a magic typewriter, Gilda is not so sure. She begins by using it to make a list of things she does not want to forget about him and then continues using the typewriter throughout the story to write letters to her dad. The letters help to tell the story, and add depth and poignancy to the narration. Gilda becomes a psychic investigator, but mostly she wants to be able to communicate with the dead, specifically her dad. The focus on the early part of the book is on Gilda’s effort to get to California to visit a relative who has been experiencing some odd happenings in her home. Once there, she tries to explain the odd sounds and psychic occurrences, equipped with her psychic manual and a myriad disguises. Gilda is a likeable, witty character who is able to do more than solve the psychic mysteries of the house. She also finds a friend, and mends a family.
Bud, Not Buddy
This is the story about a boy who does not have a mom or dad, and lives in a place called ‘the home’ where orphans live. He is sent to live with a family and they are really mean to him. The boy is tortured by another child living in the house, doing things like sticking pencils up his nose while he is sleeping. The father in the family threatens Bud with a shotgun to get him to behave (stop smacking the boy who is sticking pencils up the nose, for example) and then he is forced to sleep in the garage, locked in. Bud does not like sleeping in the garage, it is dark and creepy and dirty. He breaks a window to get out of the garage. Meanwhile, Bud is on a quest to find his dad, because he believes he is still alive. Runs away, hides behind library, and sleeps there, where he meets another orphan, a friend from the home. Asks the librarian for a book of the world so that he can find the place where he thinks his dad is. The librarian helps him figure out the walking distance. Bud sets off with his friend to find Bud’s dad. Hiding in woods, along border of town, where there was a big hobo party going on, stopped by the party and asked for directions. They are told about a train heading in that direction, spend the night and then set out for the station, trying to avoid the cops surrounding the area, who are trying to scare away the hobos. Buds friend and made the train, but Bud did not. Wandering the woods and roads alone, now, without his friend, he catches a ride with a man in his car. The man feeds Bud and they go to the man’s house. Bud finds himself on a bed on the porch. The man drove Bud to where he believed he would find his father. The cops pull them over and the man asks Bud to hide a mysterious package under the seat. The arrive at where they think Bud’s father lives, and old log cabin. The man sends Bud off with a good luck wish and Bud walks in and hid in the shadows. He called ‘Dad’ to the man who looked most like his father, and the man did not recognize him. This is the story of a boy’s journey to find his dad. Does Bud find his dad? No spoilers here, you will have to read to find out.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater Illustrated by Robert Lawson
Is it likely that someone might end up with 12 penguins to support? Perhaps not, but Mr. Popper does and as he struggles to care for these penguins he devises a terrific plan for having the penguins help out.
Mr. Popper is “speechless with delight” as he discovers his first penguin, shipped direct from Antarctica. Things get a little tricky along the way, there is trouble with pet licenses and penguins who disconnect phone calls; difficulty with taking penguins for a stroll; and trouble with a service man who is reluctant to drill air holes in the refrigerator door, and put a handle on the inside of the refrigerator-but how else is Mr. Popper to keep his penguins chilled? But the real trouble starts when Popper’s penguin becomes lonely, and a second penguin is sent to keep him company. Before long, the second penguin, Greta, begins to lay eggs, and soon there are 12 penguins living in Popper’s house. Mr. Popper has stopped working to cre for the penguins, and spends whatever money he has to make his home habitable for his new pets, but, there comes a time when he realizes that more money is needed to support the brood. That is when Mr. Popper hatches a plan to put the penguins to work.
This is a fun story. Mr. Popper’s efforts at caring for the penguins is admirable, as is his enthusiasm for his new responsibilities. The end of the story shows Popper’s devotion to the penguins, when he has to make a choice as to their future. No spoilers here-this is truly a heartwarming story that children will love to read.
The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts, Age 11 by Amy Hest Illustrated by Sonja Lamut
The book begins, “The war came and took my father forever. I was seven.” This is the private, top-secret journal of a little girl that is not to be read by anyone, especially not her mother. The story begins 5 years after the death of her father, and her mother is about to be remarried. Through the story, the little girl deals with school issues, friend issues, and home issues, as her newly married mother becomes pregnant. Typical of this genre, this story has much that some children will be able to relate to and is written in a voice that is quite accessible.
Just Juice by Karen Hesse Pictures by Robert Andrew Parker
This story is about a families struggle with financial difficulties, and a little girl’s struggle with family responsibilities, and with a possible learning disability. The protagonist is Juice, who at the start of the book is repeating 3rd grade, because her teacher says she is too lazy to do the work. Juice just doesn’t get the whole reading thing-the letters look all jumbled on the page and do not make any sense. Juice hates to go to school, the other children tease her and call her stupid. Unfortunately, the law is not on her side, and when the truant officer shows up, Juice’s mother tries to make excuses for her, but the officer won’t accept it. Juice’s dad is out of work and the family cannot pay the bills. Juice’s mother spreads the grape jelly so thin on the bread that you “can barely see the purple.” Believe it or not, this is a feel good story as the family and neighbors come together to rescue this poor family from losing their house.
Dear Mr. Henshaw by
Beverly Cleary
Leigh is struggling with many issues in his young life. Amidst the mess, his teacher suggests that he write a letter to his favorite author, and what results is a correspondence between Leigh and the author, Mr. Henshaw, that helps Leigh begin to work through some of his problems. Mr. Henshaw encourages Leigh to keep a journal, which Leigh discovers to be somewhat liberating.
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
This is a series of books about two unlikely friends.
Concepts that children can relate to-sibling relationships, school relationships, and the kinds of games children adore (casting spells, etc).
Just Grace by Charise Mericle Harper
Tells the story of a little girl named Grace, who happens to have several other Grace’s in her class.
Judy Moody and Stink series books by Megan McDonald
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell pictures by Emily McCully
Clementine a series by Sara Pennypacker ill. By Marla Frazee
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Beverly Cleary Ramona
This series follows protagonist Ramona Quimby through her life, as she deals with various issues that effect every family. Parents looking for work, the threat of moving, the challenges of a new school year, teachers, friends, academics.
Andrew Clements Jake Drake Know-It-All, The Janitor’s Boy, No Talking, Room One, and many more.
Kate DiCamillo The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Kate DiCamillo Because of Winn-Dixie
Kailin's Picks
A Corner of the Universe
by Ann M. Martin
11-13 years old
A Corner of the Universe is a book about a 12 year old girl, Hattie, whose 21 year old uncle comes to live with her family after his school closes. He is mentally disabled, though the publisher's blurb says "his condition involves schizophrenia and autism" and his savant behaviors in the book make it evident autism is at least part of his condition. Adam is so different than anyone Hattie knows and she finds herself drawn to him in a protective, older sisterly sort of way because Adam acts so immature and vulnerable at times. Hattie is also intrigued by Adam's zest for life--he is impulsive and fun and feels like a kindred spirit; this is why she takes the outside world's treatment of him so hard. The townspeople and even his own family have little compassion for him to the extent that the children call him a freak. The end of this book is somewhat unexpected, but students will relate to Hattie as she learns tolerance and a new perspective on dealing with differences.
Anything But Typical
published by Simon and Schuster, 2010
9-12 years old
Jason is a 12 year old autistic boy who loves words and language yet cannot express himself well verbally. Through the written word, however, we are allowed to peer inside his head to hear his observations of the world around him and even of himself and his own feelings and behavior. He's often confused by what he calls "NTs", or Neuro-Typicals--they seem to say a lot, but they never mean what they say. This book reminds me of A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime because it is a first person narrative by an autistic boy, but this story seems easier to connect to. Jason's voice is both endearing and revealing. Throughout much of the book, we are rooting for Jason as he joins an online story sharing board. Here he makes a connection with someone he desperately wants to be his friend, but whether or not he will be able to navigate this relationship in real life creates a suspense that keeps you turning pages.
Rules
published by Scholastic Press, 2006
by Cynthia Lord
9-12 years old
Catherine, a 12 year old girl, tries to be a good sister to her autistic brother, David, who is four years her junior--but he doesn't make it easy. She loves him dearly and creates many "rules" to help him navigate his way through the world. Each chapter of this sweet and touching book is titled with one of her many rules for him, such as "Sometimes you've gotta work with what you've got," and "Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you." Catherine wants very much to be friends with Kristi, the new girl who moved next door, but she's terrified of what Kristi might think of her brother. When Catherine meets a paraplegic boy named Jason at her brother's clinic, she learns what it feels like to feel uncomfortable or uncertain around someone with a disability--much like others feel around her brother. The relationship is poignant-- even humorous at times, and leads Catherine to learn a lesson about what's important in a friend and in a sister.
ADD/ADHD Books Selected by Heather:
Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York: Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2000.
Gr 4-7
Winkler, Henry and Lin Oliver. The Zippity Zinger.
Gr 3 - 6
Cheaney, J. B. The Middle of Somewhere. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2007.
Gr 4-6
Susan Shatford's Picks
Going, K.L. The Liberation of Gabriel King. New York, NY: Puffin Books, 2005. Grade Levels: 4 - 8
This story takes place in 1976 in a small southern town where black children and white children started going to the same schools. Gabriel, a self proclaimed scardy cat, is from a poor white family and Frita, a strong black girl, is his best friend. Frita is tired of seeing her best friend bullied by some boys at school especially after they make Gabriel miss his 4th grade graduation. Frita physically confronts the boys on Gabriel's behalf. Frita tells Gabriel to make a list of all of his fears and then forces him to confront them. Scared little Gabriel, with the help of his strong friend, conquers his fear of spiders among other things. Gabriel even finds the strength to stand up to the prejudice of the Klu Klux Klan when his friend is threatened.
Mr. Lincoln is a black man who is the most tolerant principal. He helps to celebrate multicultural and multi-religious themes in his children's lives. Mean Gene is a product of a prejudice household and he brings his anger to school. Mr. Lincoln realizes that Gene loves birds. He uses this to help engage Gene as a productive member of the school community. Gene realizes that Mr. Lincoln is not the bad person that his father says he is. Gene appreciates the beauty in the various birds and comes to appreciate the differences in his classmates as well. I love the colors used in the book. Mr. Lincoln is wearing a colorful tie along with orange pants and a blue shirt. Gene is in head to toe gray. The color shows the spirit and conflict of the two characters nicely.
Woodson, Jacqueline. The Other Side. illus. by E.B. Lewis. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2001. Grade Levels: K-3
Clover, a black girl, and Annie, a white girl, are neighbors who watch each other through the fence between their yards. One day Annie invites Clover to join her on the fence. Clover agrees because while her mother told her to never go past the fence, she didn't mention anything about not sitting on it. The mothers of each of the girls watch from a distance as the two girls meet to talk and become friends. The two girls realize that the fence (or on a larger scale, the world) is really big enough for everyone. Annie’s actions and dialog lead the reader to believe that it is possible someday for all the barriers to come down. This is a great story of how a single act of friendship can have a bigger influence on stopping racism.
Lauren's picks:
Czech, Jan. The Coffee Can Kid. Washington, DC: Child & Family Press, 2002.
Illustrator: Maurie J. Manning
Target audience: pre-school- 2nd grade
This book begins with an adopted child asking her father to tell her again the story of how she came from Korea to America. The colorful pictures provide illustrations of Korea as the father tells his daughter how her birth mother wanted the girl to grow up where she could be happy and well fed. The story ends with the father showing his daughter a coffee can that contains her baby picture and a letter from her birth mother. The themes of this story include family and diversity. I like how the book makes it clear that the child is loved by both the adopted parents and birth parents.
Sugarman, Brynn O. Rebecca’s Journey Home.Minneapolis, MN: Kar-Ben Pub., 2006.
Illustrator: Michelle Shapiro
Target audience: pre-school- 4th grade
This book is about a Jewish family in Oregon that adopts a Vietnamese baby girl. The themes include diversity and becoming a family. The pictures illustrate the mother going to Vietnam to pick up the baby, and they show her sons’ excited anticipation of having a new baby sister. The pictures are very heartwarming and portray the happiness of the new family. I really like how the book makes the point that you can be American, Jewish, and Vietnamese.
Young, Ed. My Mei Mei. New York: Philomel Books, 2006.
Illustrator: Ed Young
Target audience: pre-school- 2nd grade
This story is about an adopted little girl who wants a baby sister. When her parents adopt another little girl from China, the sister is initially disappointed that the bay sister can not walk, talk, or play and takes attention away from her. By the end of the book, the sisters have become great friends and are asking their parents for another baby sister. The story is told from the older sister’s perspective and will appeal to children since it shows a child’s perspective. The themes of becoming a family and diversity are present in this story. The pictures consist of colorful collages and help to show the siblings’ growing relationship. I especially liked the picture that vividly illustrated the older sister’s initial jealousy.
Elizabeth's picks
How My Parents Learned to Eat by Ina Friedman. Illustrated by Allen Say. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1984. Grades 1-4.
This is the story of a child whose father is a white american who marries a japanese girl, her mother. The author conveys the difference in cultures through the means of eating - to wit, with chopsticks or fork and knife, and explains how dad had to learn one, mom the other. It begins with the child stating that at her house, sometimes they eat with chopsticks, sometimes with fork and knife, and then proceeds to explain how her parents took pains to learn how the other ate so that they could connect.
The Way We Do It In Japan by Geneva Iilima. Illustrated by Paige Billin-Fryce. Morton Grove, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company. 2002. Grades 1-4. This is the story of a child whose dad is japanese and mom is white american. When dad's company decides to send him to Japan, the child must learn to live there. Food is a strong feature of the story - he must get used to fish and rice and eating with chopsticks, but learning the alphabet and customs also figure into his attempt to fit in at his new japanese school. A note at the end of the book explains the flag, common foods, holidays for children, and alphabets in Japan.
Tea with Milk written and illustrated by Allen Say. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1999. Grades 2-5.
This story is told from the perspective of a girl raised by her japanese parents in the United States. When she finishes high school, they decide to return to Japan and she must learn to live like a japanese girl. Like the two before, food is a clearly defined difference (at home she eats rice for breakfast, at her friends' homes she eats pancakes). Her difficulty adjusting to the expectations of for japanese women underline the cultural differences between the United States and Japan
Deborah's Picks!
Kevin Henkes. Olive’s Ocean. Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.: NY, 2003 Gr. 4-8.
Martha is a 12 year old girl who is paid a visit by a classmate’s mother as her family is preparing for a summer trip to New England. The classmate, Olive Barstow, was killed in a car accident recently and the mother wants Martha to have a page out of her daughter’s journal on which the girl tells of her desire to become a writer, to one day see the ocean, and how she was hoping to get to know Martha whom she felt was the nicest person in her class. This begins a series of reflections by Martha who can’t remember any specific time when she was extra nice to Olive, is both surprised and moved by Olive’s writing which shows many common threads between their lives. Martha wants to be a writer, too and also loves the ocean. Another compelling thought for Martha is the idea that if Olive could die so suddenly, so could she. Later Martha has a terrifying experience at the Cape where she almost drowns which really intensifies this idea. She experiences a lot of new things that summer and becomes more aware of herself and those around her. She wonders about death and whether or not their visit to see her elderly grandmother is because she is going to die. Through all her experiences that summer, she becomes closer to Olive, a friend. The story will give young adults comfort and understanding of a sensitive topic that is hard to address for anyone but especially for children. The characterization is strong and the portrayal of the trials and changes of growing up will be easy for children to relate to.
Deborah Wiles. Each Little Bird That Sings. Harcourt, Inc.: San Diego, 2006. Gr.3-6
Kevin Henkes. Sun & Spoon. The Penquin Group: NY, 1997. Gr. 3-6
There are so many other books that deal with the subject of death and many more current than my third choice which was published in 1997. Even this is a wonderful addition to any school library collection for students in grades 3-6. Also, in so many of the fiction I read on the subject of death, the main protagonist was a girl. Our past discussion on the search for books that would appeal to boy readers influenced my choice because the main character in this one is a boy. The book is an easier read but full of emotion and so real, this story will appeal to younger readers. The story, which brought tears to my eyes, is about a ten year old boy named Spoon Gilmore who realizes after the death of his grandmother that he knew very little about her. This thought begins to consume him and though his other family members move on, he can’t. He becomes so afraid that he will forget her and he sets out to find something that will always cause him to remember her. He begins to sleep with her favorite deck of cards, the ones with the sun on it, under his pillow. This causes him to have dreams of his grandmother which brought him a kind of peace. If he would wake up, he would try to sleep again to have her reappear. When Spoon’s grandfather reports the cards missing, Spoon deals with different emotions caused by his actions. This is a strong story about family ties and relationships and helping each other through tough times like the death of a loved one. It brought back memories of my own experiences as a young girl who never got the chance to meet and really know her grandparents and reminded me of the importance of our relationships and taking the time to nurture them. I’m sure that it will do the same for our young readers today.
Mia R's picks
Grade Level: K-3
Abby reluctantly accompanies her mother to a second hand store and while waiting, sees a lady come in with a dog. She is amazed that the women had not left her dog outside as there is a sign saying no dogs. Abby and the lady, Joanna, start talking and Joanna explains that her dog is working; he is a guide dog who helps her find her way about as she is blind. Joanna can feel the textures of the clothes but she asks Abby’s help choosing the colors. They choose purple for the blouse, a black and blue skirt with stars, and peacock colored shoes. Abby explains how she wished for a hundred rainbows for her birthday. As Joanne leaves she gives Abby and her mother two tickets to a concert. When they attend, they discover that Joanna is the star, a concert cellist, and as she plays a moonbeam catches a chandelier creating hundreds of rainbows. Alice Priestley’s illustrations are bright and cheerful. This is a gently, optimistic story for children to learn something about what it is like to be blind.
Grade Level: K-3
This story tells about a day in the life of a blind woman, Sarah, and her guide dog, Perry. Told from Perry’s perspective, it shows how dogs help blind people to live an independent life, leading them safely from place to place. It also gives information about guide dogs, such as they should not be petted when they are working. The large illustrations are softly colored and look like cut out paper. This story is based on a real person, Sarah Gregory Smith, who with her guide dog Perry walked from Boston to New York to raise awareness of how guide dogs can help the blind.
Grade Level: K-3
Four students are chosen each year from Mrs. Randall’s third grade class to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia. Anna desperately wants to be chosen for this team. She is never chosen for any team, except spelling and she is determined to write the winning letter. Once she and her sister arrive home she telephones for grandfather for some information and then while Natalie sleeps on the swing on the porch writes her letter explaining why Natalie, and she, should be chosen. Mrs. Randall is very touched by the letter and reads it to the class who all are delighted that Natalie, and Anna, are chosen. Ronald Himler’s illustrations at the beginning of the book only hint at who Natalie is and it is not exposed until the end of the story when you realize that Anna is blind. This is a story that you will want to read a second time to follow the illustrations more carefully. There is an author’s note explaining about the role of dogs during wartime.Su
Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff
This is a beautifully written book for older elementary school (graded 4+). Hollis Woods has been moved around to many foster homes and has trouble opening up to others. The story bounces back and forth between memories of past foster homes and the home she is in now and desperately wants to stay at. A lot is revealed about the character through her artwork.
Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Patterson
Being abandoned by her mother and moved around to various foster homes has made Gilly Hopkins a tough and some would say “mean” little girl. As you read the story you begin to understand why the character acts the way she does. From beginning to end you see the character start to change, with spots of humor along the way.
This book is similar to others books about foster care in that the main character, 11 year old Termite, is tough, loud and hard to get-along with. The setting of these books is quite different as Termites current foster home is not the city she is used to, but a rural logging town where there are many other foster children.
Britt Sorensen's Picks
Korman, Gordon. Everest Book One: The Contest. New York: Scholastic, 2002. Ages 9-12.
Gordon Korman’s Everest Series is about a group of teens who have been selected to be the youngest to climb Everest. As part of team SummitQuest, an advertising gimmick sponsored by Summit Energy Bars, the teens will be put through grueling training in order to select the final four to make the ascent of Everest. The book begins by characterizing the initial contestants in a way that is almost reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Dominic Alexis wins his spot after finally collecting the letter “V” from a discarded Summit Bar wrapper after multiple unsuccessful purchases to complete the word EVEREST. Reluctant but skilled climber Perry Noonan is financed by a billionaire uncle who lives vicariously through his nephew, while Tilt Crowley is as motivated by the prospect of fame and riches as much as he is by adventure. Female climbers Bryn Fielder and Samantha Moon know SummitQuest wants one female climber and struggle with the balance between teamwork and competition. The plot thickens as one of the climbers sleepwalks to her death and the book ends with a cliffhanger as it’s revealed that Tilt is secretly leaking information about SummitQuest to a newspaper for money. The book is fast paced and likely to appeal to both boys and girls who are interested in survival stories and extreme sports. The Everest series continues with Book 2: The Climb and Book 3: The Summit.
This book by the famous author of Frindle and other realistic fiction books has somewhat less action than his other titles, but is still an interesting book that addresses important themes. When the main character Phil accuses another character of stealing his brother’s jacket, it results in both boys being sent to the principal’s office. After it is discovered that Phil’s mother gave the jacket to her cleaning lady, who in turn gave it to her grandson, Phil is forced to confront his own prejudices on many levels. The new owner of the jacket, Daniel, resents Phil for his actions and seeks revenge by embarrassing Phil at school. Phil views his world through new eyes; while he attends an integrated school, he notices subtle segregation and prejudices in his own neighborhood and family. Most of the book focuses on his inner narrative, questioning his own assumptions about race and how to make things better with Daniel. The Jacket is a valuable book for students living in modern society where sometimes prejudices may be subtle yet powerful at the same time. It would make a good book for class discussions focused on racismand violence prevention as well.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Dexter the Tough. New York: Scholastic, 2007. Ages 7-10.
Dexter the Tough is a realistic fiction novel that focuses on a boy who is living with his grandmother due to his father’s cancer treatments. As Dexter begins his first day at a new school, he slips and falls, causing all of the nearby students to laugh at him. Dexter is mad and hateful towards everything and everyone, even the janitor! He even hits a boy he finds crying in the bathroom on the first day of school. When his new teacher gives him a writing assignment to tell a story about himself that he has to work on over the course of a month, Dexter starts to examine his feelings and his behavior. He feels a lot of anger and resentment as a result of his circumstances and his own choices, and eventually learns to tell the difference between things that are within and out of his control. As the story unfolds, Dexter makes friends with Robin, the boy he hit who feels alienated for different reasons. He also begins to trust the people he hated so much in his new school. Through new relationships and reflective writing, Dexter slowly gains control of his life, and the story has a happy ending when his father’s treatments are successful. This book is a great choice for teaching understanding for students who have been through trauma, felt misunderstood, or had difficulty making friends.
Michelle's Picks - Adoption
ILove You Li
ke Crazy Cakes by Rose Lewis and illustrated by Jane Dyer. Little Brown and Company, Boston: 2000. Grades PreK-2.
This picture book follows the journey of a woman adopting a baby from China. This is told in the mother's perspective and how she feels whiletraveling to China, seeing her baby for the first time and even how her friends and family react upon seeing the baby back at home. This is based on the author's own experience.
You're Not My Real Mother! by Molly Friedrich and illustrated by Christy Hale. Little Brown and Company, New York: 2004. Grades PreK-1.
This picture book shows a mother and child of different race. It begins with a child looking in a mirror and saying "You know, Mom, you're not my real mother." And the mom goes on to tell her why she is her real mom and then addresses the fact that she is thankful every day for the birth mother because she get to watch her grow.
Emma's Yucky Brother by Jean Little and pictures by Jennifer Plecas. Harper Collins Publishers: 2001. Grades K-2.
This is "An I Can Read Book". Emma is so excited to have her brother visit but her excitement wanes when Max prefers her neighbor and her brother over her. Emma and Max do finally bond as sister and brother after Max runs away. The book goes through the steps Max has to take to become part of the family. He visits a couple of times for the day, then spends the night, and then stays. This story is told from the perspective of Emma who has a difficult time adjusting to a new brother.Heather's Picks for Realistic Fiction:
Davies, Jacqueline. Lemonade War. New York:Houghton Mifflin Books for Children , 2007.
Gr 3-5
Clements, Andrew. Lost and Found illustrated by Mark Elliot. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2008.
Gr 3-6
Paulsen, Gary. Mudshark. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2009.
Gr 3-6